Gabidullin, Marat Inside Wagner

A First-Hand Account of Russia's Mercenary Wars in Syria, Africa and Ukraine

The sensational headline leads to a graphic depiction of an attack on Zelensky by "400" mercenaries; curfews are imposed, death squads are imagined, and with increasing certainty, the mission is linked to the Wagner Brigade. This group, which Al Jazeera dubbed "little green men," has overshadowed the armed foreign policy of the Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin since its founding in 2014. Whether they would have been capable of such a special operation is debatableat least not in this gripping and thought-provoking autobiography. Although the Wagner Brigade's activities were shrouded in an air of mystery, the term "Private Military Company" (PMC) repeatedly appeared in descriptions of this organization. These were the "dogs of war," a mercenary force operating on the open market and exploiting what the author describes as the collapse of the state's monopoly on the use of force. This perception prevailed in both the press and political circles when the Wagner Group's presence was felt in Syria, across the African continent, and finally, until June 23, 2023, in Ukraine. The author argues, however, that this was not the case. The Wagner Group was not a private military company, but a business enterprise with the goal of creating "a favorable environment for the execution and smooth operation of business projects in politically unstable regions." It was founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, "Putin's chef," a Russian oligarch. His catering company, Concord, played a central role in supplying food to the army and the country's schools. Prigozhin enjoyed the favor of the Russian president and saw this as an opportunity to gain wealth, status, and influence within the hierarchies of the Russian ruling class. The Wagner Brigade was part of this network and served the Russian government exclusively. This memoir paints a different picture of the means and methods of this military group. The book doesn't shy away from unflinchingly depicting the brutality of the fighting and the ruthless behavior of men who no longer adhere to conventions. However, it contradicts the common notion that the group was merely a mercenary force. They weren't simply hired thugs. Through his connection with Dmitri UtkinWagner himselfPrigozhin created a powerful tactical battalion group intended to leverage Russian interests and influence abroad and provide Prigozhin with financial advantages through new business opportunities in the now "stable" political climate. That was the goal. This book offers the unique perspective of a man who was at the heart of the action. He doesn't share the Wagner Group's worldview. He sees it as a government-coordinated military organization that fought and defeated ISIS, brought a degree of stability to the Central African Republic, and, in operational areas that initially seemed promising but never delivered the desired results, knew when to limit its losses. These memoirs describe the Wagner Brigade as an organization of Icarian daring, which, like the Greek youth from mythology, came too close to the sun.